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The Cold War, 1945–1991

Cold War maps by year

18 historical maps of The Cold War, 1945–1991, one for each turning point: who controlled what, and what changed since the map before.

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The world

Map of the world in August 1945
August 1945
THE WORLD THE ARMIES MADE
Map of the world in October 1949
October 1949
CHINA TURNS; THE WEST SIGNS A PACT
Map of the world in July 1953
July 1953
STALEMATE AT THE 38TH PARALLEL
Map of the world in November 1956
November 1956
PACTS, AND THE NON-ALIGNED ANSWER
Map of the world in October 1962
October 1962
CUBA FLIPS; AFRICA WALKS FREE
Map of the world in August 1968
August 1968
THE COMMUNIST WORLD SPLITS
Map of the world in November 1975
November 1975
THE HIGH-WATER MARK
Map of the world in December 1979
December 1979
THE YEAR OF THE SHOCKS
Map of the world in November 1989
November 1989
THE BLOC DISSOLVES
Map of the world in December 1991
December 1991
THE MAP THE PRESENT INHERITS

Europe

Map of Europe in May 1945
May 1945
WHERE THE ARMIES STOPPED
Map of Europe in May 1949
May 1949
TWO GERMANIES, TWO EUROPES
Map of Europe in May 1955
May 1955
TWO ALLIANCES FACE OFF
Map of Europe in August 1961
August 1961
THE WALL GOES UP
Map of Europe in August 1968
August 1968
TANKS IN PRAGUE
Map of Europe in December 1979
December 1979
THE FROZEN DECADE
Map of Europe in November 1989
November 1989
THE WAVE
Map of Europe in December 1991
December 1991
AFTER THE FLAGS

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